What mass produced Jap cars will become desired classics?

[300bhp/ton]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

Let's be honest - ANY old car will be a desired classic eventually.
In 25 years time people WILL pay good money for an immaculate Nissan Juke R (however much you may laugh now).

I guess I didn't make the op clear enough. I'm not saying there are none I'm saying at present in the UK you see very very few being preserved and displayed, even ones sold in large'ish numbers. Compared to the number of non Jap cars you do see at classic events, even ones of lower production numbers and similar age.

E.g.

Go to any sizable classic car show and how many mid 80's TVR's do you think will be there. Now at the same show, how many mid 80's RX-7's will be on display.

From my own observations I'd say it runs at many TVRs to none RX-7's.

[XJ40]

300bhp/ton said:

I guess I didn't make the op clear enough. I'm not saying there are none I'm saying at present in the UK you see very very few being preserved and displayed, even ones sold in large'ish numbers. Compared to the number of non Jap cars you do see at classic events, even ones of lower production numbers and similar age.

E.g.

Go to any sizable classic car show and how many mid 80's TVR's do you think will be there. Now at the same show, how many mid 80's RX-7's will be on display.

From my own observations I'd say it runs at many TVRs to none RX-7's.

Personally I think it's good that retro/classic enthusiasts are looking to preserve British cars in preference to Japanese ones.

[JQ]

300bhp/ton said:

I guess I didn't make the op clear enough. I'm not saying there are none I'm saying at present in the UK you see very very few being preserved and displayed, even ones sold in large'ish numbers. Compared to the number of non Jap cars you do see at classic events, even ones of lower production numbers and similar age.

E.g.

Go to any sizable classic car show and how many mid 80's TVR's do you think will be there. Now at the same show, how many mid 80's RX-7's will be on display.

From my own observations I'd say it runs at many TVRs to none RX-7's.

They are being preserved and they are being shown, possibly just not at the shows you attend. Jap car owners tend not to want to attend classic car shows, try Japfest or Awesomefest - plenty on display there. Jap cars tend to be owned by the younger generation who perhaps don't associate themselves with "traditional" classic car shows.

[excel monkey]

300bhp/ton said:

-Starion
-Piazza
-SVX
-FTO

The last four on your list are all pretty rare in the UK. Can't imagine many are left on the road, let alone making it to a classic car show in presentable condition.

As an aside, it always amuses me that you include the Isuzu Piazza when you're posting on a "cheap/classic coupes" thread. I've never driven one, but wasn't it generally considered pretty nondescript and unremarkable even when it was launched?

[cptsideways]

excel monkey said:

300bhp/ton said:

-Starion
-Piazza
-SVX
-FTO

The last four on your list are all pretty rare in the UK. Can't imagine many are left on the road, let alone making it to a classic car show in presentable condition.

As an aside, it always amuses me that you include the Isuzu Piazza when you're posting on a "cheap/classic coupes" thread. I've never driven one, but wasn't it generally considered pretty nondescript and unremarkable even when it was launched?

The Piazza was a dreadful thing I see it as the Japanese Austin Allegro, also known as the "Bedford Midi Coupe" It did have a Bedford Midi engine & running gear, it drove like one too.

[lowdrag]

Can't see that anyone's mentioned the Honda S800 in roadster or in hatch form. It was - and is - wonderful to see those four tiny Keihin carbs. Already a wonderful classic to rival the Spridget scene. The trouble with older Japanese cars is that they rusted out, so I guess a Cedric (if one exists still) would be a classic purely based on numbers, and this could apply to so many 1970's Japanese cars. When did you last see one of the first Civics? Still I suppose the pinnacle has to be the Toyota Gt a la James Bond.